Carton sealing machine



c. F. RICHARD Fileduarch 12, 1954 CARTON SEALING MACHINE -1 Nm. l l. .1 2; e m bm.

Nm u Ail 7, 1936:

April 7, 1936.

C. F. RICHARD CARTON SEALING MACHINE Filed? March 12, 1934 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Api. 7, 1936' vUNITED STATES PA'I'ENT OFFICE 2,036,643 cAn'roN sEALlNG MACHINE tion of Michigan Application Marcil 12, m4, serial No. 715,235

15 claims.

dried suicently to insure a tight, uniform seal.

For example, in top sealing machines of the type l now in general use, the sealing operation is com' monly performed by first folding in the aps secured to the front and rear panels of the carton, then adhesively coating the iiaps secured to the side panels and folding the latter down on 1 20 top of the already folded front and rear aps,

and finally moving the carton under 'a weightedA belt or rollers which press the flaps downwardly to effect adhesive engagement and sealing thereof. r v 25 However, due to the fact that the edges of the carton are relatively stiii while the central portions of the flaps areunsupported, except in some instances by the contents of the carton, this form of sealing not only often fails to produce 30 good and uniform adhesive engagement over the entire coated surfaces of the ilaps but also frequently results in a forcing of the inner ilaps downwardly into the body of the carton` and into contact with the contents thereof, an undesir- 35 able result especially where the contents, such as food products, are enclosed ina separate liner or inner'bag of relatively fragile material having an independent seal which it is desired to maintain unbroken.

It is therefore one of the objects of the present invention to provide a carton sealing appa-` ratus of novel construction which is capable of not only producing a uniformly tight seal between the carton flaps but also maintaining all of the flaps in positions substantially in the plane of the carton paneledges to whichV they are secured.

Another object is to provide'an improved car- 50 ton sealing machine wherein the carton flaps are urged toward an outwardly convexed or arched position during the sealing operation so as to increase the` effectiveness of the seal between the aps and at the same time prevent the inner 5f naps from being forced inwardly into the body of the carton and against the contents thereof when the sealing pressure is applied.

A further object is to provide a carton sealing unit of novel yet simple structure that can be connected to the delivery end of a carton lling 5 and closing machine and will automatically" and eiiiciently complete the seal of 'the top of 'a and closed carton.

Still another object is to provide a new and improved mechanism for sealing the tops of cartons whereby there is secured a more extensive and tighter seal between the flaps than is attained with like devices hitherto known to the These and other objects will 'appear more fully l5 from a' consideration of the detailed description of the embodiment of the invention that follows. Although there is described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings only one form of carton sealing machine embodying the present invention, it is to vbeexpressly understood that these drawings are for the purpose of illustration only and are not to be construed as tdefining the scope of the invention, reference being had for this purpose to the appended claims. 25

Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference characters indicate like parts throughout the several views:

Fig, 1 is a side elevation of a carton sealing mechanism constituting one embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken substantially on line 2-2 of Fig. 1; i

Fig. 3 is aplan view of the mechanism disclosed in Fig. l;

Fig. 4 is a plan view on an enlarged scale of a portion of the endless chains upon which are mounted the carton engaging pressure members, and indicates the manner in which the carton sides are forced inwardly toward one another to l produce the desired convexed arching of the carton flaps;

Fig. 5 is .a perspective view of the top of a carton showing the convexly arched position of the -flaps before application thereto of the sealing pressure; and

Fig. 6 is a perspective view similar to Fig. 5

' showing the position of the carton flaps after the (Ill which the preferred form of the invention may .anism forming the subject maiier of. the present invention along suiiable ways II by conveyor means of any desired type such as pusher members I2 which arefsecured to an endless chain I3 and extend upwardly between ways II in position A to engage the cartons. Chain i3 p'asses about a sprocket wheel I4 iixed on shaft I5, the latteibeing journalled in suitable bearings provided in supporting frame members' I 5 of the carton lling and closing machine. As the cartons approach the end of ways I I, they may he transferred laterally by any suitable mechanism onto a supporting plate cr table i1 which is mounted in line. with and forms an approach to the sealing mech- As shown, table I1 is supported by means of a suitable bracket I3 which is in turn convnecte'd'to the lower horizontal frame members i 5 of the sealing unit.

.In the' embodiment illustrated, the Acarton transferv means comprises a pusher member 20 suspended in a vertical position from a crosshead 2|, the latter being adapted to reciprocate transversely of the path of travel of the cartons along .a suitable guide member 22 mounted in a position well above the tops of the cartons. The reciprccation of crosshead 2I along guide 22 is accomplished by means of a connecting link 23, one end Aof which is secured to.crosshead 2| and the other end to an arm 24 fir-:ed tothe upper end of a vertical shaft 25, the lower end of the latter carrying a. second .erm` 26 to the outer end of which is connected a rod'21 which may be reciprocated by any suitable means (not shown) in .timed relation with the movements of pusher members I2. y

D'uring the transfer of thecartons from ways I I 'onto'table I1, they pass beneath a plate 28' which is supported in any suitable manner, as by brackets 23 and 30 carried by guide member 22 and the upper horizontal frame members 3I of the carton sealing mechanism, respectively, in a position just abovethe folded carton flaps, said plate being provided for the purpose of preventing the adhesively coated iiaps from coming open during the transfer from the delivery end ci the carton viilling and closing machine to the car'- vton sealing mechanism.

` Recprocation of pusher member 2l delivers the cartons onto table I1 and beneath plate 28, as previously described, and intoa position in line with a second transier mechanism which is adapted to advance the' cartons over table I1 into the sealing mechanism. As shown, pusher member 2li moves the cartons oil of ways II and over table Ii until they come to rest'upagainsta pair of guide rails 32, in which position they are directly in front of a second pusher member 33 which is adaptedv to be reciprocate-d in a direction perpendicular 'to the direction of movement of pusher member 2l and to deliver the cartons onto the conveyor of the sealing mechanism. Pusher mem- -ber 33 may be mounted on a crosshead 34 which By means offthe apparatus thus far described, filled and closed cartons may be transferred from the delivery end of any suitable filling and closing machine into a position in line with the receiving `end of the 'sealing mechanism of the.

present invention, and then advanced into said mechanism for completion of` the sealing` operation by the means next to be described.

The'novel sealing mechanism provided by the present invention essentially comprises a pressing -rneans adapted tc exert a sealing pressure on the folded and adhesively coated car-ion flaps, a conveyor means for carrying the cartons into engagement with the pressing means, and a means for producing or tending to produce a convexed arching of the fiapstoward the pressing means so as to both increase the effectiveness ofithe sealing pressure exerted by the latter and prevent the forcing of the' iiaps inwardly into the bociies of the cartons.

In the embodiment illustrated, the conveyor means to which the cartons are delivered by pusher member 33 may comprise an endless belt 31 of any suitable construction which passes over drums 38 and 39 mounted on shafts 40 and 4I,

respectively, the latter being journalled in suit-- able bearings carried by the lower frame members I9 of the sealing mechanism, the upper reach of beit 31 traveling over a plurality of suproliers 42 which may be journalled in suitable bearings also fixed with respect to frame members I3. Belt 31 is of such iength and lis adapted to be'con'tinuousli1 driven in any suitable manner at such a. speed that the time required for conveying a carton through the sealing mechanism is adequate for the completion of a tight. uniform seal between the adhesively coated'aps. As shown,v shaft 40 upon which drum 38 is iixedly mounted is continuously rotated cartons may be smoothly and easily delivered to z belt 31 by pusher member 33 and thereafter moved through the sealing mechanism on belt 31 which, supported by rollers 42, provides a substantially unyielding conveyor-support for'the cartons during the sealing operation.- As belt 31 passes around drum 3s at the end of its run, the sealed cartons pass onto a. supporting plateor table of any suitable construction whence they'maybe removed either manually or mechanica1ly inf any .desired manner.

In order that a proper sealing pressure may be applied to 'the closed and adhesively coated carton flaps while the cartons are moved through the sealing meehanism on belt 31, the present embodiment o1 the invention is provided with an endless belt which is mounted directly above the path of travel of the carton tops, is adapted to be driven in synchronism with conveyor belt 31` so as to move with the cartons, and is provided with suitable means for forcing the lower reach thereof downwardly into pressure contact with the carton iiaps. As shown, belt ,45 passes around drums 46 and 41 mounted in shafts 48 and 49, respectively, the .latter being journalled in suitable bearings carried by upper frame meni- I.bers 3| ofthe sealing structure. Shaft 48, to

whichdrum 46 is fixedly secured, is driven in any suitable manner at vsuch a speed that .belt 45 moves at the same linear speed as conveyor belt .31 and the cartons supported thereon. In'thel embodiment illustrated, the drive for shaft 48 -comprises al sprocket 50 fixed to and rotating with shaft 4|), a sprocket 5| fixed to shaft 4|, a chain 52 forming a driving connection between sprockets and 5|, a gear 53 also fixed to shaft 4|, a complementary gear 54-meshing with gear 53 and mounted on a stub shaft 55, a sprocketl 56 also mounted onshaft 55 and preferably formed integrally with gear 54, a sprocket 51 secured to shaft 48, and a chain 58 forming'a driving connection between sprockets 56 vand 51. It is to be noted that, while drum 41 is mounted substantially directly above drum 39, sealing belt 45 is shorter than conveyor belt 31 and does -not engage the carton flaps until some time after the cartons are delivered onto conveyor belt 31,

the purpose 'of which construction is later to be explained.

The means for applyingA the-downward sealing pressure to belt 45 may be o`f any suitable construction, but in the present instance comprises a pluralityof floating pressure rollers 59'which rest upon the upper surface of the lower' reach of belt 45 and are capable of a limited vertical movement of their axes of rotation so as to exert a sealing pressure that is yieldablc. As shown, each of rollers 59 is wider than belt 45, the latter in turn being wider than the cartons so that a uniform-'sealing pressure is applied over the entire surface of the carton flaps, and is provided at each end with a trunnion 60 which is journalled in a vertical"slot 6| formed in a longitudinally extending bearing rack 62 which may be` v.suitably secured to upper frame member 3|. As

shown best in Fig. 2, the bottoms of slots 6| positively limitrthe lo'wermost positions of pressure rollers 59, and hence'by adjusting the vertical positions of bearing racks 62 the sealing mechanism may be `adapted for handling cartons of varying heights.

With this construction, cartons being carried through the sealing machine on conveyor belt 31 will pass under sealing belt 45 and their top flaps-will be engaged by said belt under a yielding sealing pressure exerted by rollers 53, belt' 45 moving with the cartons and thereby insuring that the aps will not be pulled from their proper positions before the adhesive sets due to friction between said flaps and the pressure applying surface. It will be noted that flap 'retaining plate 28 extends to and terminates closely adjacent the point where the lower reach of belt 45 leaves the periphery of drum 41, thereby insuring that the closed and glued flaps remain in their proper overlapping relation until engaged by belt 45.

While the mechanism thus far described is ca- '.pable of sealing the cartons'as they are moved' through the machine on conveyor belt 31, the character of the seal obtainable is not uniformly satisfactory. For-example, since the edges of the carton are relatively stiff while'the central portions ofthe flaps are unsupported, the sealing pressure is-not uniformly effective over the entire coated surfaces of the flaps and often results in Fpoor adhesive engagement between the flaps particularly at the central portions thereof. Also, the inner flaps of the carton closures are frequently forced downwardly by the application of the sealingY pressure into the bodies of the cartons and intovcontact with the contents there- -versely to upper frame members 3|.

where the contents are enclosed in an inner liner or bag of relatively fragile material having an independent seal which it is desired to maintain formly tight and highly eiilcient seal, novel means have'b'een provided by the present invention for applying pressure to the sides o f the cartons in such a manner as to urge the carton flaps toward a convexly arched position during the travel of the cartons through the sealing unit.

. Inithe embodiment shown, suitable means are provided on each side of the path cf travel of the cartons through the sealing mechanism for exerting an inward pressure against the opposite carton sides at points just below the top edges thereof to winch the closure flaps are secured, this inward pressure causing or tending to cause an upward arching of the flaps toward the sealing belt. As illustrated in the drawings, the flap arching means may comprise a pair of endless carrier chains 63, one on each side of the path of travel of the cartons, each of which passes around a pair of sprockets 64 and 65 which may be driven in any suitable manner such that chains 63 moveV in synchronism with conveyor belt 31 and the cartons ycarried thereby. Both of carrier chains 63 lie and move in a. horizontal plane that is spaced just below the plane of the upper edges of the cartons, and they are of substantially the same length as conveyor belt 31 so as to extend a desired distance beyond sealing belt 45 at the receiving end of the sealing mechanism, whereby the flap arching pressure may be applied to the cartons prior to the time that they pass beneath belt 45.l l

Carrier chains 63 may be driven from any suitable source, the drivein the embodiment illustrated being taken from shaft 48.through a chain drive 66 to a transverse shaft 61vmounted above upper frame members 3| and journalled in suitable bearings carried by mechanism next to be described, and from shaft 61 through bevel gears 68 to a pair of vertical stub shafts 69 to the lower ends of which sprockets 64 are secured. Each of stub shafts 69 is journalled in a bearing member which is secured to, and preferably formed integrally with, a crosshead 1| which slidably engages a guidebar 12 mounted on and trans- Each .of crossheads 1| is provided with a projection 13 in which is formed'a bearing for transverse shaft 61, and also with an internally threaded projection 14 through which passes a screw shaft 15, the

end portions of the latter being threaded in oppo.

site directions and one end being fitted with an adjusting hand Wheel 16. In a similar manner, each of sprockets 65 is secured to a vertical stub shaft 11 which is journal'led-in a bearing member 18, the latter being formed integrallyjvith a crosshead 19 which is in turnslida'bly mounted on a guide bar 8|) mounted on and above frame of, a condition that is especially to be avoided sure" members which are. adapted to engage the carton sides just below the upper edges thereof "and to exert a predeterminable pressure thereagainst. As shown best in'Figs. 3 arid 4, each carrier chain is provided at spaced\intervals therealong with a plurality of groups of links having laterally extending," knife-like pressure ngers 84 which project outwardly from the links in a horizontal plane and are adapted to engage the carton sides at their outer edges. If desired, each of the links so provided may have a pair of such fingers 84 vertically spaced by the thickness of the link'. The ngers carried by the links adjacent'the extremities of each group are preferably shorter than those. of the links in the center of ,each group and their inner edges are curved along suitable arcuate lines so that the initial engagement between said fingers andthe carton sides as the links pass around sprockets 65 will be gradual and such asto avoid punc' turing the cartons.' Each group of pressure fingers is preferably of slightly less .extent than the width of the carton panel to be engaged thereby.

In order that pressure iingers 84 may exert a positive and predeterminable pressure against the carton sides, suitable guides 85 may be provided to engage the outer surfaces of the adjacent inner reaches of chains 63 and constrain the latterto travel in a definite path both horizontally and vertically. In the present embodiment,. guide rails 85 are adapted to be supported in any Vsuitable manner by crossheads 1| and 19 inthe horizontal plane in which it is desired that pressure fingers 8 4 engage with the carton sides, and

- are each provided with a relatively thin,- horizontally projecting portion 86.' The inner' vertical surfaces of portions 88 provide guiding surfaces for the sleeves 81 with which each of the linkn connecting pins is provided, thereby positively limiting the movement of opposing pressure fingers 84 away from one another which would decrease the pressureapplied to the carton sides,

sagging out of the horizontal plane in which it is I desired that engagement be made between pressure ngers 84 and the carton sides. In the form shown, .the link adjacent one end ofl eachot the groups pf pressure fingers 84 is provided with guiding ngers 88. It will be understood that, v where carrier chains Glare sufficiently taut to both prevent sagging and maintain the desired pressure against the carton sides, guide rails 85 may be omitted.

. In operation, after the closed and lled cartons have( been delivered onto conveyor belt 31 nby pusher member 33, the adhesively coated topsaps of the cartons being maintained in their proper ,folded positions by plate 28, the cartons are under a predetermined pressure by knife-like vnow moving together with the cartons), the sealwise be replaced by other suitable forms of presxsure applying devices. Furthermore, the 'means' lingers 84. 'I'his inward pressure bows in the -side panels of the cartons, as indicated in Fig. 4, and causes a convexed arching of the top aps, as indicated in' Fig. 5. It will be understood that the several groups of pressure ngers 84 are so spaced on chains 83, and the latter are so synchronized with the movement of conveyor belt 31, that each carton is properly engaged by opposite g /oups of :lingers 84. With the top aps thus arc ed, and prevented from coming open by plate 28, he cartons continue their advance until they pass be# neath and are engaged by the lower reach of sealing belt 45. .As movement of the cartons continues (belt 45, aswell as chains 63 and belt 31,

ing pressure is yieldingly applied to the aps by -rollers 59, said pressure tending to flatten out the arch imparted to the flaps by the inward pressure of flngers 84 so as to distribute the sealing pressure evenly over'the entire coated surfaces of thc aps. Since this inward pressure of fingers 84 continues throughout the travel of the cartons. beneath belt 45, the tendency of the aps to become arched continues and increases the effec-v tiveness of the sealing pressure, while at the same time. the inward bowing of the carton side' panels effectively prevents the inner aps of the carton closures from being forced downwardly into the bodies of the cartons.

There is provided by the present invention a carton sealing apparat-us of novel construction which is capable of producing a more eilicient and uniform seal of the carton aps than is attainable by any of the devices now on the market, and which also-insures that the contents of the cartons will not be disturbed by the inward forcing of any .of the carton aps; In providing a new and improved device of this character, novel means have been developed which, by the exertion of pressure against the carton side panels, rst produce and then continue to tend to produce` a ,convexed arching of the carton "aps which materially increases .theieffectiveness of the sealing pressure applied thereto and at the same time maintains said aps in positions substantially'in the plane of the carton panel edges. to which they are secured. The invention also includes the provision of mechanism of novel construction for producing the desired pressure against the sides of the cartons and for adjustingand limiting said pressure to predetermined values.,

It will be obvious that the invention is not limited t0 the apparatusshown in the drawings, but is capable of a variety of mechanical embodiments. For example, any suitable form of conveyor may be utilized in place of the endless belt and supporting rollers shown, while the iiap sealing belt and'associated mechanism may likefor applying the ap arching pressure to the cartons is not limited to the specific chain construction disclosed, but may be replaced by any suitable mechanism that is capable of function ing in substantially the same manner for the, attainment of the desired result. Moreover, although the sealing mechanism ot the present inventionvhas been described in combination with a: carbon lling and-closing machine and transfer mechanism of a particular type, lit 41.S'1-

evident that the sealing Aunit is equally well'gI adapted for use with other forms of carton handling devices, or .as aseparate and independent machine. n is also envious that, althgugh the speciilc sealing mechanism disclosed is adapted for the sealing of the top flaps of a illled carton, the underlying concept of the present invention is equally susceptible of embodiment in a machine for forming the bottom closures of cartons.

Various other changes, which will now appear to those skilled in the art,A maybe made 'in the form, details of construction'and arrangement of the parts without departing 'from the spirit of*l the invention. Reference is therefore to-.bef-

had to the appended claims for a deilnition of the of the invention. What is claimed is:

1. In a machine for sealing the closed and,

sure against the sides of the cartons tending' to convexly arch said flaps during the carriage of said cartons by said conveyor means.

2.l In a machine for sealing the closed and adhesively coated flaps of cartons, pressing means for exerting a sealing pressure on said flaps, conveyor means for carrying the cartons into engagement withv said pressing means, carrier members arranged on opposite sides of the path of travel of said cartons and moving in synchronism with said cartons, and means carried by said carrier members for exerting an' inward pressure against the sides of the cartons in a plane slightly spaced `from the plane of said flaps.

3. In a machine for sealing the closed and adhesively coated aps of cartons, pressing means for exerting a sealing pressure on said aps, conveyor means for carrying the cartons into ensagement with said pressing means, a' pair of endless carriers arranged on opposite sides of the path of travel of said cartons and moving in syncronism with said cartons, and inwardly extending pressure members carried by each of said carriers adapted to exert a pressure against the sides of the cartons in a plane slightly spaced from the plane of the edges of the cartons to which said iiaps are secured,vsaid inward pressure tending to convexly arch said aps in a direction opposite t that in which the sealing pressure is applied by said pressing means.

4. In a machine for sealing the closed and adhesively coated aps of cartons,- pressing means for exerting a sealing pressure'on said flaps, conveyor means for carrying the. cartons into engagement with said pressing means, a pair of endless chains arranged on opposite sidesof said conveyor and moving in synchronism with said= hesively coated flaps of cartons, pressing means Afor exerting a sealing pressure on said aps, conveyor means for carrying the cartons into ei.- gagement with said pressing means, a pair ,frf

. endless chains arranged on opposite sides of said conveyor iny a plane slightly spaced from the plane of said flaps and moving in synchronism chains and so arranged as to exert an inward pressure against the sidesof said cartons at points closely adjacent the end edges of said sides. i

6. In a machine for sealing the closed and adhesively coated flaps of cartons, pressing means for exerting a sealing pressure on said ilaps, conveyor, means for carrying the cartons into en-- gagement with said pressing means, carriers arrangedon opposite sides of said conveyor and moving in synchronism with said cartons and a plurality of pressure members carried by said Carriers and so arranged as to exert an inward pressure against the sides of said cartons, said carriers being of such extent that said pressure members engage the carton sides before said iiaps 'come into engagement with said pressing means,

the inward pressure exerted by said members convexly arching said aps and thereby increasingthe effectiveness of the sealing pressure exerted by the pressing means and preventing the forcing of the flaps inwardly into" the bodies of the cartons.

7. In a machine for sealing the top ilaps of a lled and closed carton, pressing means for exerting a sealing pressure on said flaps, conveyor means for carrying the carton beneath said pressing means, and means `traveling with said carton during the sealing operation for exerting an inward pressure against opposite sides of said carton at points just below the top edges thereof, said inward pressure tending to convexly arch said iiaps upwardly thereby increasing the effectiveness of the sealing pressure exerted by said pressing means and preventingl the forcing of the flaps downwardly into the body of the carton.

. 8. In a machine for sealing the top iiaps of a filled and closed carton, pressing means for exerting a sealing pressure on said flaps, conveyor means for carrying the carton beneath said pressingmeans, a pair of carriers arranged on opposite sides of the path of travel of said carton and moving in synchronism Vtherewith during the sealing operation, and means carried by said carriers for exerting an inward pressure against the sides of said carton in a horizontal plane just below the top edges thereof, said pressure being sufficient to produce an upward convexed arching of said flaps when unopposed by said sealing pressure.

9. In a machine for sealing the top iiaps of iilled and closed cartons, pressing means. for exerting a sealing pressure on said aps comprising an endless belt adapted to move with the cartons during the sealing operation and means for forcing said belt downwardly into pressure contact with said flaps, conveyor means for carrying the cartons beneath said belt, a pair of endless carriers arranged on opposite sides of the path of travel of the cartons and mioving in synchronism therewith, said carriers being longer than said belt and paralleling the'path of travel of said cartons both before and during the time that said naps are engaged by said pressing means," and means carried by said carriers for exerting an inward pressure against the sides of said cartons in a horizontal plane just below the topedges thereof, said pressure being suiiicient to produce an upward convexed arch- Aing of said aps when unopposed by said sealing pressure.

1U. In a machine for sealing erting a sealing pressurepn vsaid flaps comprising the top flaps of` lled and closed cartons, pressing means for-exan endless belt adapted to move with the cartons during the sealing operation and means Afor forc-- ing said belt downwardly into pressure cont-act witlfsaid yIiaps, conveyor means for carrying the of said belt, and members carried by said chains adapted to exert an Y'inward pressure against the sides of the cartons tending to convexly arch .saldi iiaps upwardly in opposition to the sealing pressure exerted by said pressing means. 1i'. In a machine forsealing the itop flaps of lled and closed cartons, pressing;Y means for exerting a sealing` pressureY on saidY iiaps, cionveyor means for carrying the cartons beneath said pressing means, a pair of carriers arranged `on'opposite sides oi the path of travel of said cartons andrmovingin synchronism therewith in a horizontal plane just belewthe top edges `oi' the cartonsand a 4plurality of knife-like members carried by each of Ysaid carriers adapted togengage the sides of said cartons, the adjacent edges 'of corresponding members on the two carriers when in carton-engaging pmsition being spaced apart by a distance slightlyrless than the normal distance between trie carton sides, thereby pro-.iV ducing an Yinward pressure tending fto convexly arch the carton aps upwardly during carriage,

ofjsaid cartons by said conveyor means.

i2. In a machine for sealing the top flaps ofv and closed cartons, pressing means for exerting a sealing pressure on said @ps comprising an endless belt adapted to move with the cartons during the sealinggoperation and means for forcing said belt downwardly into pressurev Contact With said aps, conveyor means for carrying. the'cartens beneath/said belt, a pair of endlesgchains arranged on opposite sides of the path nf travel of said'cartons and moving irj synchronism Atherewith in a horizontal plane just belowthe plane of said belt, and a plurality of knife-like members carried bye each of said .chains adapted to engage-fthe sides of said cartons, the adjacentedges ef corresponding members on the twociiains when in carton-engaging position being spazed apart by a distance slightly less than the*v normal distance between the carton sides, and said chains being of such length that said knife-like members engage' thegsides v means for carryig the cartons beneath said pressing means, a pair of endless chains arranged on opposite sides of the path of travel of said cartons and. moving in synchronism therewith in a horizontal plane just below:E the plane of the top edges of said cartons, plurality of kniIe-likefmembers carried by eachof said chains adapted to engage the sides of said cartons, the adjacent edges eI corresponding members on the two chains when in carton-*engaging position being spaced apart by va distance slightly less thanlthe normal distance between the carton sides, and meansl for varying the distance betveen said chains to accommodate cartpns of different sizes.

14. In a machiney for sealing the closed anda-:ihesivelv coated aps oimoving cartons, means for exerting against the sides o f the cartons aninward pressuregtending to convexly arch the carton iiaps during-the sealing operation comprising pair of endless carriers positioned on oppositelsides ofthe path of travel of the carsides with a predeterminablmpressure.

A15. Ina machine fori-sealing the closed and adhesively coated iiaps of moving cartons, means for exerting against the sides fof the cartons an inward pressure tending to convexly arch the carton naps during the sealing operation4 comarising a. pair of endless carriers 'positioned on fopposite'sides of the path oftravel of the carons and having at spaced intervals therealong Va plurality'of groups of pressure Yangers extending therefrom in position to engage the carton sides, and guide means associated with said carriers for constraining the latter to move in predetermined paths and thereby regulating the pressure ex erted against said carton sides.v

CHARLES r'. RICaARD.

ons and having at spaced intervals therealong a plurality of groups of pressuregngers extendin'g therefrom in position to engage the carton 

